In a groundbreaking move to lead global climate action, C40 Cities has appointed Mayor Sadiq Khan of London and Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr of Freetown as co-chairs of the organization. This significant development aims to elevate the role of cities, particularly in the Global South, in addressing the pressing challenges of climate change.
Mayor Khan, as the previous C40 chair, advocated for increased support for cities in the Global South, which often bear the brunt of the climate crisis. Under his leadership, C40 allocated two-thirds of its budget to drive climate action in these regions. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in launching initiatives such as the Breathe Cities clean air partnership and the Inclusive Climate Action Fund. Moreover, his unwavering commitment to addressing climate change was evident through his ambitious goal of creating 50 million sustainable jobs by 2030.
Freetown, a member of C40 Cities since 2019, has actively contributed to the global climate agenda under the leadership of Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. In line with her dedication to combat inequality and environmental degradation, Freetown committed to planting 1 million trees to enhance resilience against flooding and absorb carbon dioxide. Furthermore, her transformative vision for the city, manifested in the Transform Freetown plan, underscores her focus on sustainable urban development and community engagement.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s appointment as the new co-chair signifies a significant stride in amplifying the voices of Global South cities in shaping climate action strategies. Her unwavering commitment to promoting multilateral action, rallying financial investments for climate initiatives, and involving young people in building a sustainable future demonstrates her proactive approach to addressing the climate emergency. Notably, as the co-chair, Mayor Aki-Sawyerr will lead the C40 mayoral delegation to the upcoming COP28 in Dubai.
Expressing his support for this pivotal move, Mayor Sadiq Khan emphasized the indispensable role of cities in spearheading climate action, particularly those in the Global South, which are disproportionately affected. He reiterated his dedication to working alongside Mayor Aki-Sawyerr to underscore the crucial participation of cities worldwide in global climate initiatives.
Underscoring the significance of collaborative efforts between leaders from different geographical regions, Michael R. Bloomberg, the President of the C40 Board, lauded the new co-chair model for fostering greater collaboration between local leaders in the global north and south. Emphasizing the impending COP28 and the Local Climate Action Summit, he expressed his anticipation of collaborating with Mayors Khan and Aki-Sawyerr to bolster the climate efforts of C40 cities.
The establishment of this co-chair system has garnered praise from Mayor Eduardo Paes, who commended C40 for its commitment to inclusive global climate action. His acknowledgment of the importance of Global South cities in shaping a greener and healthier future further underscores the significance of Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s new role.
Mark Watts, the Executive Director of C40 Cities, commended Mayor Aki-Sawyerr’s leadership in driving transformative initiatives in Freetown, including substantial tree planting and pioneering the Transform Freetown plan. His statement underscores the pivotal role of action-based leadership in achieving the ambitious goal of limiting global heating to 1.5 degrees.
The appointment of Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr as the co-chair of C40 Cities marks a significant milestone in advancing inclusive global climate action. With her proactive leadership and dedication to sustainable urban development, her role is poised to further elevate the voices of cities in the Global South on the global climate stage.
